Canada - Ontario

Question 1

Ontario climate? (3)

Answer 1

Extreme, continental climate

Daytime summer temperatures of above 30 degrees

Winter daytime temperatures of -20 degrees

Question 2

What moderates the cold winters in vineyards around Ontario? (2)

Answer 2

Lakes

They also cause higher humidity so disease pressure is high

Question 3

What protects the vines during winter?

Answer 3

Snow cover that forms from the evaporation of the lake

Question 4

Main animal pests in Canada? (3)

Answer 4

Birds

Deer

Bears

Question 5

Main insect pests in Canada? (3)

Answer 5

Moths

Mealy bugs

Leaf hoppers

Question 6

What can cause vintage variation in Canada?

Answer 6

Harvests are very late due to the influence of the lakes so rain and Autumn frosts can cause vintage variation

Question 7

Soils in Ontario? (3)

Answer 7

Clay and sand

Gravel and rocks

Limestone around the lakes

Question 8

Too 5 grapes in Ontario vineyards? (5)

Answer 8

1. Riesling
2. Chardonnay
3. Cab Franc
4. Merlot
5. PG

Question 9

Benefit of Lake Ontario?

Answer 9

Takes longer to warm up in spring and longer to cool down in Autumn - creates a longer growing season and helps protect against spring frost

Question 10

What does the Niagara Escarpment and the Lake Ontario do to moderate the climate? (3)

Answer 10

Cold air above the lake flows down the slopes of the escarpment and at the same time warm air over the lake flows inland and replaces the cold air below

The opposite happens in summer

This helps with frost and fungal disease

Question 11

Grapes grown on the Niagara Escarpment? (4)

Answer 11

Chardonnay
PN
Cab Franc
Riesling

All with high acid (coolest part of the region)

Question 12

Niagara-on-the-lake reputation?

Answer 12

Warmer than the Escarpment so more river fruiter styles are made and more suited to Bordeaux blends

Question 13

Main grapes for the Niagara-On-The-Lake sub region?

Answer 13

Chardonnay
PN
Cab Franc
Riesling

Same as Escarpment

Question 14

Issue with Lake Erie?

Answer 14

It’s the shallowest lake so it warms up quickly and cools down quickly. Winter freezes are an issue

Question 15

Reputation for Lake Erie North Shore wines? (2)

Answer 15

Riper styles (lowest latitude)

Less structure than Niagara sub regions

Question 16

Main grapes in Prince Edward County sub region?

Answer 16

Pinot Noir and Chardonnay

(Very cool climate)

Question 17

Soils in Prince Edward Country sub region?

Answer 17

Limestone with Stoney top soils that radiate heat and help ripening